The Notre Dame defense has a chance to be an elite unit once again heading into the 2026 college football season. Head coach Marcus Freeman and defensive coordinator Chris Ash have a deep and talented group. There is a tremendous mixture of proven veterans and elite younger players to work with. 

With spring practice now behind us, it feels like a great chance to do an updated defensive depth chart. We know that cornerback Leonard Moore, safety Adon Shuler, defensive end Boubacar Traore, and linebacker Drayk Bowen are a few of the known commodities, but how will the rest of the unit shake out? 

Here’s how I could see the final depth chart looking like going into the season. It’s a very impressive group, to say the least. 

Defensive line 

While we know that Traore will be the starter at one defensive end position, the rest of the defensive line could end up looking several different ways, which is a good thing. This is the deepest we have seen on a Notre Dame defensive line in quite some time. I do expect Francis Brewu to get the start inside and Bryce Young to be the other starting defensive end. It’s going to be a strong rotation regardless. 

DE: Boubacar Traore (RS Jr.) 

DE: Rodney Dunham (Fr.) 

DT: Francis Brewu (Jr.) 

DT: Armel Mukam (RS Jr.) 

NT: Tionne Gray (RS So.) 

NT: Jason Onye (RS Sr.) 

DE: Bryce Young (Jr.) 

DE: Keon Keeley (RS Jr.) 

Linebacker 

If Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is healthy going into the season, I could see him starting next to Bowen. When “KVA” has been on the field the last two seasons, he has been the team’s top linebacker. Regardless, we will see a lot of both players if healthy, as well as Jaiden Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed. I also expect Madden Faraimo to demand more reps as he continues to gain more experience and comfort in the system. 

MIKE: Drayk Bowen (Sr.) 

MIKE: Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (Jr.) 

MIKE: Madden Faraimo (So.) 

WILL: Jaiden Ausberry (RS Jr.) 

WILL: Jaylen Sneed (RS Sr.) 

WILL: Kahanu Kia (RS Jr.) 

Secondary 

There is a very real argument that Notre Dame has the best secondary in college football going into next season. Leonard Moore will be locking down half the field as the team’s boundary cornerback. Tae Johnson and Adon Shuler will also be one of the better safety tandems in the country. We saw Christian Gray at nickel a lot during the spring, and that’s where he should start as long as DJ McKinney transitions well from Colorado. 

Note: Dallas Golden is listed at both the boundary corner position and nickel. I expect him to play both this season.

Boundary: Leonard Moore (Jr.) 

Boundary: Jayden Sanders (So.) 

Boundary: Dallas Golden (So.) 

FS: Tae Johnson (RS So.) 

FS: Ethan Long (RS Fr.) 

FS: Joey O’Brien (Fr.) 

BS: Adon Shuler (RS Jr.) 

BS: Luke Talich (Sr.) 

Field: DJ McKinney (RS Sr.) 

Field: Mark Zackery IV (So.) 

Field: Khary Adams (Fr.) 

Nickel: Christian Gray (Sr.) 

Nickel: Dallas Golden (So.)